Fungicidal active compound combinations

ABSTRACT

A novel fungicidal composition comprising a fungicidally effective amount of a combination consisting of 
     (i) N- 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl!-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3-methyl-cyclopropanecarboxamide of the formula ##STR1##  and (ii) (A) a triazole derivative of the formula ##STR2##  in which X represents chlorine or phenyl, 
      and/or 
     (B) a pyrrole derivative of the formula ##STR3##  in which R represents ##STR4##  and/or (C) the imidazole derivative of the formula ##STR5## The novel composition shows a synergistic activity.

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/713,387, filed Sep. 13, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,150.

The present invention relates to novel active compound combinations which consist of the known N- 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl!-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3-methyl-cyclopropanecarboxamide, on the one hand, and other known fungicidal active compounds on the other hand, and which are very well suited for controlling phytopathogenic fungi.

It has already been disclosed that N- 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl!-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3-methyl-cyclopropanecarboxamide possesses fungicidal properties (cf. EP-A 0 341 475) While the activity of this compound is good, it leaves something to be desired in a number of cases when low application rates are used.

It has furthermore been disclosed that a large number of triazole, imidazole and pyrrole derivatives can be employed for controlling fungi (cf. DE-A 2 201 063, EP-A 0 206 999, EP-A 0 236 272 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,071). However, the effect of these compounds is not always satisfactory, either, when low application rates are used.

It has now been found that the novel active compound combinations consisting of

N- 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl!-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3-methyl -cyclopropanecarboxamide of the formula ##STR6## and (A) a triazole derivative of the formula ##STR7## in which X represents chlorine or phenyl, and/or

(B) a pyrrole derivative of the formula ##STR8## in which R represents ##STR9## and/or (C) the imidazole derivative of the formula ##STR10## possess very good fungicidal properties.

Surprisingly, the fungicidal effect of the active compound combinations according to the invention is substantially greater than the sum of the effects of the individual active compounds. It is, therefore, a matter of an unforeseeable, genuine synergistic effect and not simply of an addition to the effect.

It is apparent from the structural formula for the active compound of the formula (I) that the compound exhibits three asymmetrically substituted carbon atoms. The product can, therefore, be present as a mixture of different isomers or else in the form of a single component. The compounds

N--(R)- 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl!-(1S)-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3t-methyl-1r-cyclopropanecarboxamide of the formula ##STR11## and

N-(R)- 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl!-(1R)-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3t-methyl-1r-cyclopropanecarboxamide of the formula ##STR12## are particularly preferred. The compound of the formula (I) and its individual isomers are known (cf. EP-A 0 341 475).

The formula (II) includes the compounds

1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-butan-2-ol of the formula ##STR13## and

1-(4-phenyl-phenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-butan-2-ol of the formula ##STR14## The triazole derivatives of the formula (II) are likewise known (cf. DE-A 2 201 063).

The formula (III) includes the compounds

4-(2,3-dichloro-phenyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile of the formula ##STR15## and

4-(2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile of the formula ##STR16## The pyrrole derivatives of the formula (III) are likewise known (cf. EP-A 0 206 999 and EP-A 0 236 272).

The imidazole derivative of the formula (IV) is N- 2-(2,4,6-trichlorophenoxy)ethyl!-N-propyl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxamide, which is known under the name of prochloraz (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,071).

In addition to the active compound of the formula (I), the active compound combinations according to the invention contain at least one active compound from the compounds of groups (A) to (C). Over and above this, they may also contain additional, admixed, fungicidally active components.

The synergistic effect is exhibited particularly clearly when the active compounds are present in particular weight ratios in the active compound combinations according to the invention. However, the weight ratios of the active compounds in the active compound combinations may be varied over a relatively wide range. In general, from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably from 0.2 to 5 parts by weight, of active compounds from groups (A) to (C) are allotted to 1 part by weight of active compound of the formula (I).

The active compound combinations according to the invention possess very good fungicidal properties and can be employed for controlling phytopathogenic fungi such as Plasmodiophoromycetes, Oomycetes, Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Deuteromycetes, etc.

The active compound combinations according to the invention are particularly well suited for controlling Pyricularia, Pellicularia, Cochliobolus, Gibberella, Rhizoctonia and Fusarium spp.

The active compound combinations according to the invention may, in particular, be used for controlling fungi on rice and cereals, such as wheat and barley.

The good toleration by plants of the active compound combinations, at the concentrations required for controlling plant diseases, permits treatment of above-ground parts of plants, of vegetative propagation stock and seeds, and of the soil. The active compound combinations according to the invention may be employed for application to leaves or as dressing agents.

The active compounds according to the invention can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, pastes, granules, aerosols, very fine capsules in polymeric substances and in coating compositions for seed, as well as ULV formulations.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds or the active compound combinations with extenders, that is, liquid solvents, liquefied gases under pressure, and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surface-active agents, that is, emulsifying agents and/or dispersing agents, and/or foam-forming agents. In the case of the use of water as an extender, organic solvents can, for example, also be used as auxiliary solvents. As liquid solvents, there are suitable in the main: aromatics, such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics or chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example mineral oil fractions, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol as well as their ethers and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, as well as water. By liquefied gaseous extenders or carriers are meant liquids which are gaseous at normal temperature and under atmospheric pressure, for example aerosol propellants, such as butane, propane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. As solid carriers there are suitable: for example ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly-disperse silica, alumina and silicates. As solid carriers for granules there are suitable: for example crushed and fractionated natural rocks such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, as well as synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks. As emulsifying and/or foam-forming agents there are suitable: for example non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates as well as albumen hydrolysis products. As dispersing agents there are suitable: for example lignin-sulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latices, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, as well as natural phospholipids, such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids, can be used in the formulations. Other additives can be mineral and vegetable oils.

It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

The formulations in general contain between 0.1 and 95 per cent by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%.

The active compounds according to the invention can be present in the formulations as a mixture with other known active compounds, such as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides and herbicides, as well as in mixtures with fertilizers and plant growth regulators.

The active compound combinations can be used as such or in the form of their formulations or the use forms prepared therefrom, such as ready-to-use solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, emulsions, suspensions, wettable powders, soluble powders and granules. They are used in the customary manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomizing, scattering, spreading, dry seed dressing, wet dressing, liquid dressing, slurry treatment of seeds or encrustation.

In the treatment of parts of plants, the active compound concentrations in the use forms can be varied within a substantial range. They are, in general, between 1 and 0.0001% by weight, preferably between 0.5 and 0.001%.

In the treatment of seed, amounts of active compound of 0.001 to 50 g per kilogram of seed, preferably 0.01 to 10 g, are generally required.

For the treatment of soil, active compound concentrations of 0.00001 to 0.1% by weight, preferably 0.0001 to 0.02% by weight, are required at the place of action.

The fact that the active compound combinations according to the invention have a good fungicidal effect is evident from the examples which follow. Whereas the individual active compounds exhibit weaknesses in their fungicidal effect, the combinations have an effect which goes beyond a simple summation of effects.

In fungicides, a synergistic effect is always present when the fungicidal effect of the active compound combinations is greater than the sum of the effects of the individually applied active compounds.

EXAMPLE 1

Cochliobolus sativus test (barley)/protective

Solvent: 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Emulsifier: 0.6 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound or active compound combination is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

In order to test for protective activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated application rate.

After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are sprayed with a conidial suspension of Cochliobolus sativus.

The plants remain for 48 hours in an incubation cabin at 20° C. and 100% relative atmospheric humidity.

The plants are placed in a greenhouse at a temperature of about 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of about 80%.

Evaluation is effected 7 days after the inoculation. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table:

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Cochliobolus sativus test (barley)/protective                                                  Rate at                                                                        which active Efficacy in %,                                                    compound applied                                                                            based on the                                      Active compound in g/ha      untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             250            0                                           (IIa) (triadimenol) 250            30                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             125                                                        +            }      +        }     75                                          (IIa)               125                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 2

Gibberella zeae test (barley)/curative

(Syn. Fusarium graminearum)

Solvent: 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Emulsifier: 0.6 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound or active compound combination is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

In order to test for curative activity, young plants are sprayed with a conidial suspension of Gibberella zeae. The plants remain for 24 hours in an incubation cabin at 20° C. and 100% relative atmospheric humidity. The plants are then sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated application rate.

After the spray liquor has dried on, the plants remain in a greenhouse under translucent incubation hoods at a temperature of approximately 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of approximately 100%.

Evaluation is effected 4 days after the inoculation. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Gibberella zeae test (barley)/curative                                         (Syn. Fusarium graminearum)                                                                    Rate at                                                                        which active Efficacy in %,                                                    compound applied                                                                            based on the                                      Active compound in g/ha      untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             250            13                                          (IV) (prochloraz)   250            13                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             125                                                        +            }      +        }     40                                          (IV)                125                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 3

Fusarium nivale (var. majus) test (wheat)/protective

Solvent: 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Emulsifier: 0.6 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound or active compound combination is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

In order to test for protective activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated application rate.

After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are sprayed with a conidial suspension of Fusarium nevale var. majus.

The plants are placed in a greenhouse under translucent incubation hoods at a temperature of approximately 15° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of approximately 100%.

Evaluation is effected 4 days after the inoculation. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Fusarium nivale (var. majus) test (wheat)/protective                                           Rate at                                                                        which active Efficacy in %,                                                    compound applied                                                                            based on the                                      Active compound in g/ha      untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             250            0                                           (IIa) triadimenol   250            8                                           (IIb) bitertanol    250            17                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             125                                                        +            }      +        }     42                                          (IIa)               125                                                        (Ia/Ib)             125                                                        +            }      +        }     50                                          (IIb)               125                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

Leptosphaeria nodorum test (wheat)/protective

Solvent: 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Emulsifier: 0.6 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound or active compound combination is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

In order to test for protective activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated application rate.

After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are sprayed with a suspension of Leptosphaeria nodorum spores. The plants remain for 48 hours in an incubation cabin at 20° C. and 100% relative atmospheric humidity.

The plants are placed in a greenhouse at a temperature of about 15° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of about 80%.

Evaluation is effected 10 days after the inoculation. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Leptosphaeria nodorum test (wheat)/protective                                                  Rate at                                                                        which active Efficacy in %,                                                    compound applied                                                                            based on the                                      Active compound in g/ha      untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             250            7                                                               125            0                                           (IIIa) fenpiclonil  125            7                                           (IIIb) fludioxonil  250            53                                                              125            30                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             20.75                                                      +            }      +        }     42                                          (IIIa)              104.25                                                     (Ia/Ib)             62.5                                                       +            }      +        }     65                                          (IIIb)              62.5                                                       (Ia/Ib)             208.25                                                     +            }      +        }     65                                          (IIIb)              41.75                                                      (Ia/Ib)             41.75                                                      +            }      +        }     65                                          (IIIb)              208.25                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

Pyrenophora teres test (barley)/protective

Solvent: 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Emulsifier: 0.6 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound or active compound combination is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

In order to test for protective activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated application rate.

After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are sprayed with a conidial suspension of Pyrenophora teres.

The plants remain for 48 hours in an incubation cabin at 20° C. and 100% relative atmospheric humidity.

The plants are placed in a greenhouse at a temperature of about 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of about 80%.

Evaluation is effected 7 days after the inoculation. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Pyrenophora teres test (barley)/protective                                                     Rate at                                                                        which active Efficacy in %,                                                    compound applied                                                                            based on the                                      Active compound in g/ha      untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             250            0                                           (IIb) bitertanol    250            53                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             41.75                                                      +            }      +        }     70                                          (IIb)               208.25                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

Pyrenophora teres test (barley)/curative

Solvent: 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Emulsifier: 0.6 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound or active compound combination is mixed with the stated amounts of solvent and emulsifier and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

To test for curative activity, young plants are sprayed with a conidial suspension of Pyrenophora teres. The plants remain for 48 hours in an incubation cabin at 20° C. and 100% relative atmospheric humidity. The plants are then sprayed with the active compound preparation at the stated application rate.

The plants are placed in a greenhouse at a temperature of approximately 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of approximately 80%.

Evaluation is effected 7 days after the inoculation. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Pyrenophora teres test (barley)/curative                                                       Rate at                                                                        which active Efficacy in %,                                                    compound applied                                                                            based on the                                      Active compound in g/ha      untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             250            18                                          (IV) prochloraz     250            18                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             41.75                                                      +            }      +        }     68                                          (IV)                208.25                                                     ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

Rhizoctonia solani test (cotton)/seed treatment

The active compounds are used as dry seed dressing agents. They are prepared by extending the relevant active compound or active compound combination with stone meal to form a finely pulverulent mixture which ensures uniform distribution on the seed surface.

For the dressing, the infected seed is shaken for 3 minutes together with the dressing agent in a sealed glass bottle.

2×50 grains of the seed are sown 2 cm deep in a standard soil which is infected with Rhizoctonia solani and are cultivated in a greenhouse at a temperature of approximately 22° C. in seed boxes which are exposed to the light for 15 hours every day.

Evaluation is effected after 8 days. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Rhizoctonia solani test (cotton)/seed treatment                                                Rate at                                                                        which active Efficacy in %,                                                    compound applied                                                                            based on the                                      Active compound in g/ha      untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             500            0                                           (IV) fludioxonil    500            44                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             417                                                        +            }      +        }     47                                          (IIIb)               83                                                        (Ia/Ib)              83                                                        +            }      +        }     50                                          (IIIb)              417                                                        (Ia/Ib)             250                                                        +                   +        }     57                                          (IIIb)              250                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

Pyricularia test (rice)/protective

Solvent: 12.5 parts by weight of acetone

Emulsifier: 0.3 parts by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound or active compound combination is mixed with the stated amount of solvent, and the concentrate is diluted with water and the stated amount of emulsifier to the desired concentration.

To test for protective activity, young rice plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound until dripping wet. 1 day after the spray coating has dried on, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Pyricularia oryzae. The plants are then placed in a greenhouse at 100% rel. atmospheric humidity and 25° C.

Evaluation is effected 4 days after the inoculation. In this test, 0% denotes an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control, whereas an efficacy of 100% denotes that no infestation is observed.

Active compounds, active compound concentrations and experimental results are given in the following table.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Pyricularia test (rice)/protective                                                             Concentration of                                                               active compound                                                                             Efficacy in %,                                                    in the spraying                                                                             based on the                                      Active compound liquid in %  untreated control                                 ______________________________________                                         Known                                                                          (Ia/Ib)             0.01           70                                                              0.005          70                                          (IIb) bitertanol    0.01           50                                          (IIIa) fenpiclonil  0.005          0                                           (IIIb) fludioxonil  0.005          10                                          According to the                                                               invention                                                                      (Ia/Ib)             0.005                                                      +            }      +        }     80                                          (IIb)               0.005                                                      (Ia/Ib)             0.0025                                                     +            }      +        }     80                                          (IIIa)              0.0025                                                     (Ia/Ib)             0.00417                                                    +            }      +        }     80                                          (IIIb)              0.00083                                                    ______________________________________                                    

It is understood that the specification and examples are illustrative but not limitative of the present invention and that other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A synergistic fungicidal composition comprising synergistic fungicidally effective amounts of a combination consisting of(i) N- 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl!-2,2-dichloro-1-ethyl-3-methyl-cyclopropanecarboxamide of the formula ##STR17## and (ii) (A) a triazole derivative of the formula ##STR18## in which X represents chlorine or phenyl, and/or (C) the imidazole derivative of the formula ##STR19##
 2. The synergistic combination according to claim 1, wherein the second component is(ii) a triazole derivative of the formula ##STR20## in which X represents chlorine or phenyl,wherein the weight ratio of (i):(ii) is between about 0.1 and about 1:10.
 3. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of (i):(ii) is between about 1:0.1 and about 1:10.
 4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of (i):(ii) is between about 1:0.2 and about 1:5.
 5. A method of combating fungi, which method comprises administering to such fungi or to a fungus habitat a synergistic fungicidally effective amount of a composition according to claim
 1. 6. A method of combating fungi, which method comprises administering to such fungi or to a fungus habitat a synergistic fungicidally effective amount of a composition according to claim
 3. 